Organize the perfect summer barbecue!

Serve up a backyard barbecue with your family this summer and enjoy the warmer summer weather! By planning and preparing ahead, you can spend time with your loved ones and experience a stressed-free meal.

What to Make

The best summer barbecue recipes are ones that use common ingredients found in your kitchen and can be made in advance so you can spend more time with your loved ones.

When it comes to making a refreshing beverage, try this Make-Ahead Summer Punch from Brit + Co for an easy to put together pitcher of drinks. No need to individually assemble! For a summer-inspired non-alcoholic option, try The Busy Baker’s recipe for Sparkling Mojito Lemonade made with healthy ingredients. The ingredients for this recipe can be made ahead of time for a quick mix together when the meal is about to begin.

Having a simple but delicious appetizer is a must to keep you and your family satisfied while you’re all waiting for the grill to heat up. This Tuscan White Bean Bruschetta from Whatcha Cooking Good Looking can easily be made a day or two before your barbecue and stored in the refrigerator. Pair it with fresh bed from a local bakery – to stay safe and make sure you don’t run out the day of, place an order online or over the phone ahead of time so it can quickly be picked up before supper.

 A side dish is a must – whether you go with simple grilled vegetables or a salad, make sure you find a recipe that doesn’t take up too much time and can also be made the day before or earlier that morning to cut down time spent in the kitchen before and during the meal. Recipes like this Mediterranean Pasta Salad from Becky’s Best Bites can be prepped and put together well in advance so all you need to do is place it on the table before eating!

Whatever you’re cooking on the barbecue will be the main event of the evening – so make sure you choose something that is not only tasty but doesn’t take you hours to put together! Consider grilling up a recipe like these Prize-Winning Baby Back Ribs from Allrecipes. With an easy-to-put together rub that doesn’t need to marinade or sit for hours ahead of time, this can easily be mixed together the morning of so it’s ready to rub on the ribs with some barbecue sauce right before grilling.

For the grand finale, serve up a dessert that is perfect for a warm summer evening! This Rasperry Summer Sensation Dessert from Food needs time to freeze and put together, but you’ll be happy it is done and ready to eat when you need it!

What to Prepare

Besides the meal itself, there are still a few other items you’ll want to make sure you have ready to use before the barbecue. Don’t forget to take some time before the meal to wipe down outdoor furniture and make sure other drinks are stored in a cooler or the fridge. With mosquitos flying around, it’s important to make sure you have plenty of bug spray and other equipment like Off Lanterns or candles to keep them from disrupting your meal. Umbrellas to block out intense sun rays are also helpful and consider bringing out a lawn game or frisbee to play together after the meal is over.

Are you ready for your summer vacation?

Summer is here, and that means many Calgarians are getting ready to head out on their summer vacations. Any summer trip, whether it is a quick weekend getaway or month abroad, requires a lot of planning. Below, we’ve outlined some of the steps you will need to complete to ensure you have everything you need before you leave! 

Make lists

Lists can help you keep track of every stage of your trip. To prevent you from getting confused, make sure that you separate your lists by subject. For example, keep one list for just the items you need to pack and another for what you need to do before you leave.

When you’re putting together a “to do” list, or a list of items to pack, make sure that you keep them in a place that is easy to find. You don’t want to lose it before you even start! Consider using a task tracking app like Trello or Awesome Note. You can also create a list on a white board and hang it in your office, kitchen or bedroom. This way, anyone can easily add or check off your items and tasks as you complete them.

Pack smart

One of the most essential parts of an organized trip is packing smart. Before you start pulling out your items, make sure you consider what the weather is predicted to be like at your destination, what activities you will be doing, and how you will be travelling. Do you need to consider baggage restrictions on a flight, or have limited room in your vehicle? From here, you can put together your packing list, and use it to make sure that all of your items are accounted for.

When your packing items, consider using packing cubes or storage compartments to keep your items organized, compact, and easy to find. Packing cubes are smaller, rectangular fabric containers that can fit a variety of items. For example, you can use one to store all of your shirts so they are neatly folded and easy to find. Storage containers and bags with smaller compartments and pockets can also help you keep like items with like, and help you fit more items in your bag.

Create an itinerary

Your summer vacation is supposed to be fun and relaxing, so make sure you know where you need to be and when! Make sure to record important times for travelling, tours, excursions and meet-ups for your vacation before you leave. You can use the calendar in your phone or an agenda to keep track of addresses and times. Apps like Google Trips and TripCase can store all of your important travel information, as well as any documents you may need like tickets and reservation confirmations.

If you are travelling with other people, make sure they have access to a copy of the trip itinerary, so everyone is on the same page. Apps (like the ones listed above) and phone calendars having sharing functions that allow you to share your itinerary and information with travel mates. 

Prepare your home

Even though you are leaving home behind, it’s important to make sure that everything is prepared for when you leave. Make arrangements to have a neighbour, friend or family member check on your house periodically over your vacation. A list of what to check for, as well as any keys or passcodes needed should also be gathered and provided for whoever is watching your home. Any outdoor items like toys and patio furniture should be properly stored. It is a good idea to give the inside of your house a quick clean, so everything is in place for your return.

Any arrangements for pick-ups from airports, train stations or bus stops should also be made beforehand. Let a family member or friend know about your travel plans and provide contact information in case of an emergency.

Before you get away for rest and relaxation, make sure you are ready for your trip by making lists, packing smart, creating an itinerary, and preparing your home. By completing these tasks ahead of time, you can enjoy a stress-free vacation this summer!

Summer road-trip essentials

A summer vacation requires a lot of organizing – but the road-trip to get to your vacation destination needs just as much planning!

If you are driving by car over a long distance this summer, don’t expect to be able to get into your car and drive away. Make sure that you know the route you are taking (and some potential back-ups) in case of inclement weather, traffic problems, or construction. It’s a good idea to preview the whole route to also map out different rest areas, especially for overly-long drives. Take note of any towns you are passing through, and possible places to stop for gas, a bite to eat, or a place to stretch your legs.

For trips that require multiple days, ensure that you allow for plenty of time to get to your destination. Leave some extra time just in case you run into complications along the way, and don’t push yourself to drive more hours than is safe. If you’re staying with family or friends, make sure they have an estimated time arrival for you ahead of time, and keep them updated by contacting them during one of your rest stops once you get closer. It’s a good idea to make sure they know your travel plans and the route you are taking.

It’s also important to make sure that your car is organized and packed with all of the essentials:

Snacks

Whether you’re planning a quick day trip or multiple days on the road, you can never have too many snacks. Look for items that are least likely to make a mess and easy to eat on the go – fresh vegetables and fruit can be cut and packed into individual portions for easy access and eating. Granola bars or bites, beef jerky, and fruit gummies are good non-perishable treats that can be kept in a car over the summer as an emergency stash.  

Beverages

Always make sure you have plenty of water and other beverages to help you and your family stay hydrated during the trip. While drinking water is important, consider bringing a few other beverage options to switch it up, especially if you are driving for long periods. Flavoured sparkling water is still healthy, but the different flavour and carbonation can be a nice change and energy booster. For kids, juice boxes are easy to pack and store and are healthier than pop. You can also consider using reusable water bottles and bringing larger bottles of water and refilling them. Don’t forget to bring travel mugs for coffee and tea refills during morning drives!

Wipes/cloths

Even with the right snacks and beverages, messy hands and faces can still happen. Throw a couple of packs of wipes or clothes into one of the seat pockets so are prepared to clean up any potential messes. It’s also a good idea to make sure one bag is designated as a garbage bag, so you have a place to dispose or store any dirty cloths while you’re on the road.

Headphones and chargers

Batteries don’t last forever, so make sure that you have all the chargers you need for all of your electronic devices. Consider purchasing an extra charger and keeping it permanently in your car so you always have access to it when you need it most. Not everyone can agree on what to listen to, so make sure headphones are available for anyone who might want to listen or watch something else on their personal devices.

Entertainment

From the driver to the passengers, everyone can get bored on road-trips. Make sure everyone is prepared by bringing along a variety of activities or entertainment options. Don’t just create a playlist – download a few podcasts or audio books to listen to as well. Change is good and helps break up long travel distances. For passengers, books, movies and small games are also great entertainment options. If you still find yourself with nothing to do, consider playing one of these classic road trip games with the other passengers.

Your summer adventure awaits, but make sure your vehicle is road-trip ready before you hit the open road!